What is Mental Health?

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According to World Health Organization (WHO), Mental health is defined as ‘a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.’
Moreover, WHO stresses that mental health is more than the absence of mental disorder or disabilities.
Mental health also relates to the cognitive, behavioral and emotional well-being of an individual.

10 Facts about Mental Health (WHO, 2019):

Mental, neurological and substance use disorders make up 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of non-fatal disease burden
Around 1 in 5 of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental disorder.
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, affecting 264 million people.
About half of the mental disorders begin before the age of 14.
Almost 800,000 people die by suicide every year; 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years.
Around 1 in 9 people in settings affected by conflict have a moderate or severe mental disorder.
People with severe mental disorders die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population.
Rates of mental health workers vary from below 2 per 100 000 population in low-income countries to over 70 per 100 000 in high-income countries.
Less than half of the 139 countries that have mental health policies and plans report having these aligned with human rights conventions
The global economy loses about US$ 1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety.

Importance of Mental Health:

It helps to define how we handle stress, pressures and make preferences in life
Mental health is vital at every phase of life, from infant and adolescence through later life.
Mental Health influences opinions, manners, and sentiments.
Being strong emotionally can encourage effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy in activities like work, college or caregiving.
It plays a key part in the health of interactions and permits to familiarize to alterations in life and handle with hardship.

Factors Contributing to Mental Health:

Socio-economic factors
Psychological factors
Biological factors like genetic factors
Environmental factors like rapid social change and stressful work conditions
Cultural factors
Unhealthy lifestyle
Physical illness
Nutrition
Perinatal infections
Exposure to environmental hazards

Common Examples of Mental Health Disorders:

Mental health disorders are basically characterized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behavior and relationships with others. Some of the common mental health disorders are:

Depression
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia and other psychoses
Dementia and other developmental disorders including autism
Disorders due to drug and substance abuse
Personality disorders
Intellectual disabilities

Promoting Mental Health/Preventing Mental Health Disorders:

There are specific ways to promote mental health and prevent mental health disorders. They are:

Early childhood interventions that focuses on interactions which will make the child feel more responsive, emotionally supportive and stimulating.
Life skills and development programs.
Socio-economic empowerment
Social interactions and engagements
Community clubs and initiatives to support elderly and vulnerable populations.
Mental health promotional activities in schools and workplace.
Community development programs.
Sensitization and awareness programs on individual and human rights.
Opportunities for personal growth and development.

WHO Response to Mental Health:

Supporting government to promote and strengthen mental health
Support in developing plans and policies addressing mental health.
Research and evidence generation
Disseminating information to promote and sensitize people on mental health
‘Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020’ (approved by World Health Assembly 2013) which shows commitment of all the member states to take actions to improve mental health.

Key objectives of the action plan are:

Strengthen effective leadership and governance for mental health;
Provide comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social care services in community-based settings;
Implement strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health; and
Strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health.